​Sixteenth in a series of biographical sketches on Burgesses whose descendants belong to the First Mississippi Company; in honor of the 400th anniversary of the July 30, 1619, meeting of the first representative governmental body in America at the 1617 Church on Jamestown Island.​

William Kendall was born in 1659 in Northampton County, Virginia, and was the son of Colonel William Kendall and Susannah Baker. He was a member of the House of Burgesses for Northampton County in 1688 and 1692-94. William married Anne Mason, daughter of Lemuel Mason of Lower Norfolk County. William’s father-in-law, Lemuel Mason, was also a member of the House of Burgesses. Kendall made out his will 29 January 1695, and it was proved 28 July 1696. In his will he named his wife Anne; two sons, William Kendall III and John; and three daughters. His name appears on the list of participants in Bacon’s Rebellion who were pardoned by Governor Berkeley in 1676. He died young in his thirties.

William Kendall’s father, also named William Kendall, was born in England about 1625 and emigrated to Jamestown in 1650 as an indentured servant. He had also become a Virginia politician, and was serving in 1685 as Speaker of the House of Burgesses when it was prorogued by Governor Howard. He had died by the time it reconvened in 1686.

Leave a Reply.

To Our Authors

We welcome researched ancestor profiles and vignettes from members that focus on their ancestors’ roles in Jamestown’s history, plus other aspects of their lives, events and experiences in the colony. Please limit contributions to 400 words; illustrations are welcome. Please submit them to historian.jamestowne.society@gmail.com